Traders sign longkong deal with southern farmers

The Nation August 13, 2014 1:00 am

Five major fruit traders from Talad Thai, the largest wholesaler of fresh fruit and vegetables in the country, recently signed a bulk purchase agreement for 4,320 tonnes of longkong that will be harvested in the South during the rest of the year.

The deal will be for just over 10 per cent of the total output expected from the three southernmost provinces this year.

The Commerce Ministry's Department of Internal Trade led major fruit buyers last week to meet with farmers in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, who are expecting a bumper crop during the peak harvest season from late this month to October.

Sumalee Vasiganont, director of the ministry's Market System Promotion and Administration Bureau, headed the delegation, which included Chatchawal Sae Jia, an official of the Talad Thai Farmers Network, as well as representatives of five major Talad Thai merchants - Orathai Klammak of Nop-Nate, Marosuli Jeuseng of Ruskee, Suksan Bamrung of Je Pui, Nurumon Jutiphol of Nudee, and Narumon Jinaklueng of Nong Raang.

The southern border provinces are expected to yield 39,014 tonnes of longkong this year, with 21,000 tonnes coming from Yala, 14,014 tonnes from Narathiwat and 4,000 tonnes from Pattani.